welcome to our viewers on public television in america and also around the globe. uncertainty tonight around the fate of dozens of hostages held by islamists in algeria. they launched a raid to try to free the hostages and the bbc understands there are several casualties. >> algerian forces surrounding a gas plant according to of algerian television. some hostages are dead, someone did, some are free. jihadists raided the facility looking for hostages. they had to launch an operation to free them because the kidnappers would not negotiate. >> a fluid situation that is

ongoing, and very uncertain. i think we should be prepared for the possibility of further bad news, how difficult news in this difficult situation. >> it appears to have been well- planned. survivors say the kidnappers knew their way around, has reportedly strapped to explosives. the convoy of cars killed both militant stand islamists. >> when faced with terrorism, there will be no negotiation and no black male. this is the position we have maintained for some time. >> he was lucky to escape with his life. >> i can't describe how happy i am.

hopeful.ays really excited. >> are you going to have a party? >> i will give them a big hug. >> the emergency management team came and this crisis has not gone the way that they hoped. they will ask of death could have been avoided if managed differently. >> a few people know more about fighting the and then the general. he commanded u.s. forces until he was forced to leave the post in 2010. he published a memoir titled my share of the task. he spoke about the growing threat in north africa. do you think that what we are seeing at the moment suggests

that there is a new front in the war against islamic extremism? >> i don't think it is new. it morphed back in 2006 and in reality, i think this is a maturation for evolution of something growing for a number of years. >> with the french operation, we see this retaliation in algeria. does that surprise you? >> in fact, i think the network they have been trying to build has been banged up for quite awhile. algeria has a very difficult history internally, particularly since 1992. i think these things are coming to the fore, it is pretty predictable. it is surprising that it is so

completely controlled by the extra missed groups right now. >> how much of the threat is there? >> that don't have many interests. all around are countries that are important to france. historically and economically. if you think of that as a landlocked afghanistan, it doesn't look important except wherein it is and how could be a lot point for these groups to spread like a cancer. >> you draw a parallel before 9/11. there is a failed state where islamists have a large amount of control. >> with a great proximity to things they can do great damage to. >> are there other parallels?

>> depopulation is not the client automatically be swayed by extremist groups. when you get a significant number, they can have the ability to control the population. i think a lot of that came from the outside. >> you have written about the franchising. if things had done differently, could we have prevented what we have seen now? a global spread of the organization? >> i think all we could have done better. i think we're seeing of brand and an idea spread. it is the legitimacy of the brand. it is not as strong as it once

was. they offer a sort of nihilistic future, a return to the seventh century. at the same right, it is a powerful lever where you are not happy with your current prospects. somebody else is responsible, they are here to allow them to take control of your own destiny. >> do they write about the idea that perhaps we taught people languages? is that where america went wrong. could we have done more to try to win the intellectual argument? >> i think afghanistan is a great example. if we had trained 10,000 americans to speak, we could

have made a huge difference because we went in blind and had this cursory understanding. a small number of americans with experiences. it is not something that you could get and understand because things had changed so much. the traditional normal really goes to 1978. what you have is this mutated society trying to repair itself as you try to navigate a complex environment. you don't speak the language and you have cultural deficits. it is almost impossible to develop the contextual understanding that you need. you have to understand if you're trying to impact a society.

>> in other news, the militants said they have executed a french hostage captured in 2009. french armed forces tried to rescue him last saturday but failed. they executed him on wednesday evening and they say he was probably killed during the rescue attempt. the country now has a steady government. the united states recognizes them for the first time in 20 years pillar in -- 20 years. lance armstrong has been stripped of his mettle. the committee acted after the governing body found him guilty of systematic doping and stripped them of seven wins. there is speculation as to whether he will lead men to open or apologize.

extremists are gaining ground militarily and they're also winning popular support. it has become increasingly powerful. the free syrian army is living in kidnapping. they met one of the leaders of the front and found this exclusive report. >> they are waiting for bread. eight hours. nothing is more emblematic of what they have captured, and everyone knows the reason. it is the free syrian army fighters that have eluded the supply.

>> we have no bread, and no fuel, no power. she goes on to tell me that we used to live like kings. now the strong devour the week. there is an atmosphere of insecurity. there are kidnappings. support is slipping away in the free army. these men are the beneficiaries. for many in aleppo, they are saviors. to the united states, they are terrorists. in this secretive group agreed to speak to us. i asked if a democratic syria rejected the state, would it continue?

>> that will never happen. syria is an islamic country and the people of as long. they are fed up with secular regimes. >> they are responsible for many, perhaps most of the suicide attacks in syria. they face a tax of killing civilians indiscriminately. we choose only military targets, they insist. the regime put car bombs among civilians. there is a lot of effort to undermine our reputation, he says. i challenge anyone to present evidence. he also denied any link to terrorist groups.

a plane drops bombs. they think the front building is the target. >> that have taken cover in case the plane make another pass. they have a reputation for being the bravest fighters. they are widely regarded as honest. the power and influence may have a very big say in syria's future. >> there is still support for the free syrian army, but even these fighters wonder if it has been worth it. >> i wish our lives could go back to what they were, she says. they're forced to burn rubbish to keep warm.

western governments have a dilemma. if they stay out of syria, the islamists will go stronger. but weapons sent to the uprising might reach them. so people wait for help that is probably not coming. >> air rare look inside syria and the longer this conflict goes on, the more complicated it becomes. still to come on tonight's program, carrying concealed weapons in a classroom. one texas community in cages in a fierce debate. it was billed as the future of aviation but tonight, all of the dree minor aircraft around the world are grounded the following alert on the flight from japan yesterday. the latest in a string of safety concerns.

>> your 7873 minor. >> made of plastic so it is lighter and cheaper. but they become a bit of a nightmare for boeing. iss isn't a duro, this yesterday's's emergency evacuation after fears of a fire on board barely a week after another reminder caught fire in boston. the plane is grounded until boeing can prove it is safe. this is the cause, a battery the size of a shoe box made of lithia myron. the same material used in laptops and mobile phones. they don't actually fly the planes.

>> you can potentially be looking at a loss of a complete aircraft. >> european safety regulators granted the plane today. the battery is the most serious problem. boeing says it is working around the clock to return the plane to the skies, but there is no indication how long that might take. >> only one voice powerful enough to make this happen. yours. that was president obama's plea

today to enact the gun control proposal he has laid out. a day after he introduced those measures, it is clear it won't be easy. further restrictions are seen as infringing on the right to bear arms. we traveled to texas to assess the mood there. >> the population is 80 and the local school draws kids from all over the county. the nearest police station is half an hour away. after a series of shootings, the education authority here felt compelled to take matters into their own hands. they decided that some of the school teachers should carry concealed weapons in the classroom. no one knows which teachers are armed or how many had no one asks. >> do feel safer? >> absolutely.

i have to of my own children here. it makes me feel better if i ever have to be gone for business or away from the school, they can protect it. >> what will happen if an armed man breaks into the school? >> they will be shot. best case scenario. that is the best thing that they can hope for. this is an america where there is enough dark thought of barack obama and the emerging tyranny. it was a large defense of the people against an overbearing and oppressive state. >> if you hear the rhetoric, they are talking about marble. they loved petitions. it shows them a majority want this. he even talked about the mandate. the mandate from the people to do whatever he wants to do.

he has a mandate to act as president and not rewrite the constitution. >> you are frightened. >> absolutely. the government is responsible for some of the horrors of our history. >> americans flocked to gun stores to stock up. sales rising dramatically as the owners hope to preempt a possible ban. there are four times as many gun retailers as there are mcdonald's restaurants. in europe, we have accepted the idea that only the state and only the authorities should legitimately use violence. >> my response is that people in europe have been kowtowed to the point over the years that they don't know that they are missing all of these rights that we have over here. we have had that right for so long, it is ingrained in the american spirit and the american

culture. it is not something easily changed. >> i think the europeans are very much less free than we are. >> 100 million americans have guns at home. how do you eradicate the danger of that when in the minds of so many, guns are synonymous with the basic freedoms on which america is founded? >> whole there on the gun control debate. for a rare glimpse inside of the world's most famous museum, the kremlin armory opened its doors 200 years ago and there is an incredible collection of treasures that involved to the russian czars. we gave unique access.

>> and there is one place where you can really get a feel for what it has been like to be a russian czar. this museum is a treasure trove of artifacts. they can drink, put on, said on. ivan sat there on the left and his 10-year-old brother sat on the right. you see the space in the back, it was a hidden compartment where his sister was here so she

could whispered instructions. they have always had secrets in the kremlin. and if you have a throne, you need a crown. gary imperial russian crowns were stunningly beautiful. that is the coronation crown of empress anna decorated with two and a half thousand diamonds. pretty nice. this is catherine the great. and this is her wedding dress. it must've been a tight squeeze. this is one place the public does not get to see. the restoration room where a museum pieces are given a sprucing up like this one. the coronation trade of empress maria. it is made of silk, but a lot of the silver thread has come undone. that is why she has her needle and thread. it will take six months, but this will look as good as new. of all the wonderful objects in

this museum, these are my favorites. in this luxurious sleigh that carry the empress from saint petersburg to moscow for her coronation. it was pulled by 23 horses. and finally, the oldest carriage in the collection, 400 years old and a gift from james the first of england. in the name of anglo russian french, will give a cyclical peak inside. it is very luxurious. finally, the oldest carriage in the collection, 400 years oldasas presence go, this is not

about one. i can't imagine david cameron giving that a peak.

>> make sense of international news at bbc.com/news. >> funding for this presentation is made possible by the freeman foundation of new york, stowe, vermont, and honolulu. newman's own foundation. and union bank. >> at union bank, our relationship managers work hard to understand the industry you operate in, working to nurture new ventures and help provide capital for key strategic decisions. we offer expertise and tailored solutions in a wide range of industries. what can we do for you?

>> "bbc world news" was presented by kcet, los angeles. presented by kcet, los angeles.

- hi, neighbour! today it's my birthday, and we're going to have a birthday party! and then we're going to the park for a picnic! d you're coming too! and i'll be right back!

is made possible in part by... the richard king mellon foundation. dedicated for over sixty years to south western pennsylvania's quality of life, and competitive future. and by these pittsburg foundations. working together to enhance and enrich the lives of children for more than seventy-five years. and by the arthur vining davis foundations. dedicated to strengthening america's future through education. adcasting, dedicated to strengthening america's future and contributions to your pbs station, from viewers like you. the neighbourhood ♪ and contributions to your pbs station, ♪ a beautiful day for a neighbour ♪ ♪ would you be mine? ♪ could you be mine? ♪ won't you be my neighbour?

- ♪ it's daniel tiger's neighborhood ♪ ♪ a land of make-believe ♪ won't you ride along with me? ♪ - ♪ ride along - ♪ it's daniel tiger's neighborhood ♪ ♪ so much to do, so much to see ♪ ♪ won't you ride along with me? ♪ - ♪ ride along - ♪ i've got lots of friends for you to meet ♪ ♪ in this land of make-believe ♪ a friendly face on every street ♪ just waiting to greet you ♪ it's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood ♪ ♪ a beautiful day for a neighbour ♪ ♪ in daniel tiger's neighborhood! ♪ (trolley dings.) - hi neighbour! it's me, daniel tiger. come on in! do you know what today is? it's my birthday! look! i'm gonna have a birthday party! see? hey, do you like birthday parties?

- ugga mugga, birthday tiger. it's time to go to the bakery to pick out your cake. - you'll come with me, right? i'm so happy you're here. - let's go! - trolley! (trolley dings.) please take us to the neighborhood bakery! (trolley dings.) you're gonna love it. - ♪ we're going to the bakery to pick out a cake ♪ ♪ won't you ride along with me? ♪ - ♪ ride along - ♪ won't you ride along with me ♪ - mom, i have a question. since i'm bigger, can i carry my birthday cake all by myself? - you are bigger now, but a cake can be heavy. - but look at me. i'm big and strong! grr! (laughing) (trolley dings.) hi, katerina kittycat! hi, o the owl! wanna come